Hello All,
I am a recent graduate of Northwest Lineman College in Idaho. For those who have been considering attending NLC, do it! It was hands down the best decision I've ever made as far as schooling goes and getting a solid foundation in the trade of line work. You will not regret a single minute spent at this school and I guarantee you will leave with a renewed sense of confidence, life long buddies, and be well prepared for anything any apprenticeship can throw your way. Oh yeah and a job!!!
My questions have to do with a few job offers I have received.
There are two companies in the Midland/Odessa area that seem to be doing strictly distribution work and chasing the oil wells. One doesn't have an apprentice program in place but I was promised to be enrolled in one through NLC once I began working. Visited the company and the boss seemed very eager to sell me his company. Seemed nice enough but what do you think about having an apprenticeship based strictly on distribution and building line as quickly as possible? What about transmission and underground both of which this company doesn't deal with?
Second has about the same outlook... building line to oil wells.. big wig actually came to our school, interviewed about 20 of us for 10 spots. Pay is more than aforementioned company plus they grant you 2000 hours toward your apprenticeship just by attending NLC, which is also where their apprentice program is set up. Problem is he mentioned that the work isn't meant to be aesthetically pleasing i.e. they don't care if their washers are square as long as exxon mobil's pumps are going up and down. I am concerned that by working this way I will have learned bad habits and when I do want to go work for a company that is more concerned about craftsmanship I will not be qualified. And will these 2000 hours they grant me for attending NLC be transferable?
Another option is an Idaho Contractor that has works throughout the Western U.S. Seems like they are the most well rounded company, they do transmission, distribution, underground, wind farms, etc. Only issue I have with them is the pay isn't as good as the other two. Why are wages so suppressed up here? In all likely hood I'd be working in Texas either way so would it just be better to take one of these oil field gigs?
I've also applied to MSLCAT probably have an interview next month and that would be my first choice if the option presented itself. I am 22, single and ready to hit the road to gain any experience I can but I don't wanna jump at the first offer, rather prefer to keep my options open. Any opinions would be helpful and thank you for contributing to the forum screw copper, this is the real lineman's gold!